Seattle ChapterIPMS/USA December 2011 Seattle Chapter News club, andbetteryet,tokeepthem after to continueattractnewmodelers tothe difficult toshare. We alsohavemanaged club, buthasproveninthepast tobe modeling knowledgethatexistswithinthe tell. Hehasmanagedtotapintothevast chapter businessmeetingandshow seminars followingtheconclusionof some veryinterestingandinformative well. VPEricChristiansonhasorganized Other positiveshaveoccurredthisyearas Bellevue. second Saturdayofeachmonthin meet tosharetheloveofhobbyon all outamicably. As agroupwecontinueto membership thatwemanagedtosortthis organizers, andinparticularthegeneral involved, fromthecandidates,election separate way. Itwasacredittoeveryone splitting intwo,andeachsidegoingtheir ters, sometimesleadingtothechapter This hashappenedinotherIPMSchap- election. “camp” triedtofigureoutawaywinthe lead toallsortsofbitterinfightingaseach the votesendedinatie.Thiscouldhave despite twoattemptstofindaclearwinner, forward tostumpfor Terry’s position,and Executive Board. Two candidates stepped announced his“retirement”fromour a breakfrombeingPresidentforLife,and club, Terry Mooredecidedthathewanted After 20yearsofexemplaryservicetothe Seattle Chapter, andmodelingingeneral. me hasbeenthegoingsonatourIPMS One ofthebig“positives”yearfor expenses inmanyareasofourlives. (schools, roadrepairs,etc),andhigher public servicesthatmyfamilyreliesupon cutbacks acrosstheboardtovarious stability, whatwiththreatofjobloss, sorts ofexternal“threats”tofamily year hasbeenanothertoughone,withall my familyandmeoverthepastyear. This “positive” abouthowthingshavegonefor Each December, Itrymybesttobe PREZNOTES Andrew Holiday Season. and yourlovedonestheverybestfor To eachandeveryoneofyou,Iwishyou the greatgoingsonwithinIPMSSeattle. and todoeverythinginmypowerfoster 2012 istokeepallthe“positives”infocus, My goalasyourPresidentheadinginto fi, shipstoairplanes. models, fromautostoarmor, figurestosci- bulge withavastandvariedarrayof the “Showand Tell” tablescontinueto to the“positive”natureofourclub. And their firstvisit!Proofagain,inmyeyes,as Tamiya Vickers Wellesley Dragon HUP Vehicle Type 4012 Revell 1948FordCustom 9 On Fw190Canopies, Antennas, Skyway SaleandParty 8 Ki-44 “Tojo” Aces of WW2 3 6 Kinetic C-2AGreyhound Dragon Type 97“Chi-Ha” Boeing B-1(Model6) (cookies, cakes,etc.) Remember tobring and non-alcoholic Holiday Meeting beverages tothe goodies toeat op 11 10 Coupe and Headrests December 10 Yamato In ThisIssue meeting! Peiw14 Preview 13 9 IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 2

SEATTLE CHAPTER CONTACTS

President: Vice President: Treasurer: Show Chair: Andrew Birkbeck Eric Christianson Spencer Tom Jon Fincher P.O. Box 15983 18215 NE 95th Way #103 318 N.E. 81st St. 1819 S. 116th St. #307 Seattle, WA 98115 Redmond, WA 98052 Seattle, WA 98115 Seattle, WA 98166 Ph: 206-522-3539 Ph: 425-591-7385 Ph: 206-522-8414 Ph: 206-354-9682 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

IPMS Seattle Web Site (Webmasters, Norm Filer & Tracy White): http://www.ipms-seattle.org

Public Disclaimers, Information, and Appeals for Help

This is the official publication of the Seattle Chapter, IPMS-USA. As such, it serves as the voice for our Chapter, and depends largely upon the generous contributions of our members for articles, comments, club news, and anything else involving plastic scale modeling and associated subjects. Our meetings are generally held on the second Saturday of each month, (see below for actual meeting dates), at the North Bellevue Community/Senior Center, 4063-148th Ave NE, in Bellevue. See the back page for a map. Our meetings begin at 10:00 AM, except as noted, and usually last for two to three hours. Our meetings are very informal, and are open to any interested modeler, regardless of interests. Modelers are encouraged to bring their models to the meetings. Subscriptions to the newsletter are included with the Chapter dues. Dues are $25 a year for regular mail delivery of the newsletter, and $15 for e-mail delivery, and may be paid to Spencer Tom, our Treasurer. (See address above). We also highly recommend our members join and support IPMS-USA, the national organization. See below for form. Any of the members listed above will gladly assist you with further information about the Chapter or Society. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual writers, and do not constitute the official position of the Chapter or IPMS-USA. You are encouraged to submit any material for this newsletter to the editor. He will gladly work with you and see that your material is put into print and included in the newsletter, no matter your level of writing experience or computer expertise. The newsletter is currently being edited using a PC, and PageMaker 6.5. Any Word, WordPerfect, or text document for the PC would be suitable for publication. Articles can also be submitted via e-mail, to the editor’s address above. Deadline for submission of articles is generally twelve days prior to the next meeting - earlier would be appreciated! Please call me at 425-823-4658 if you have any questions. If you use or reprint the material contained in the newsletter, we would appreciate attribution both to the author and the source document. Our newsletter is prepared with one thing in mind; this is information for our members, and all fellow modelers, and is prepared and printed in the newsletter in order to expand the skills and knowledge of those fellow modelers.

Upcoming Meeting Dates The IPMS Seattle 2011 meeting schedule is as follows. All meetings are from 10 AM to 1 PM, except as indicated. To avoid conflicts with other groups using our meeting facility, we must NOT be in the building before our scheduled start times, and MUST be finished and have the room restored to its proper layout by our scheduled finish time. We suggest that you keep this information in a readily accessable place. December 10

Newsletter Editor: Robert Allen 12534 NE 128th Way #E3 Kirkland, WA 98034 Ph: 425-823-4658 [email protected] IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 3

Boeing B-1 (Model 6)

by Jim Schubert

On March 2, 1919 Eddie Hubbard and Bill Boeing carried a bag of mail from Bill’s factory on Seattle’s Lake Union to the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club dock in British Columbia. The 130 mile (209Km) trip took them ten days as they had to stop in Anacortes to make repairs. They returned to Seattle in two hours with another bag of mail. It was a stunt for that year’s annual Vancouver Exhibition; it was also the first government sanctioned international airmail in the western hemisphere. That milestone exercise was flown on the one- off civil Boeing Model 5 (CL-4S) floatplane. Late in 1919 Hubbard bought the sole Boeing B-1 (Model 6), c/n 86, for his Seattle-Victoria Air Mail Line and used it on the, almost, daily Seattle-Victoria, BC and return mail service until 1928. This The B-1 as currently displayed in Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry. (Author) exceptionally long life of intensive use was unusual at the time when most airplanes shed at Bryn Mawr for ten years until the When Hubbard started the Seattle-Victoria had very short service lives. The B-1 Blums donated it to the Seattle Historical service the B-1 bore no markings whatso- started operations with a 200 hp Hall-Scott Society in 1939. The Society set it up as an ever. To fly in Canada it was given the L-6, which was essentially half a Liberty V- outdoor public display on the east side of Canadian registration G-CADS; G for Great 12. Later it was retrofitted with the more Boeing Field until the start of WWII. Britain and CA for Canada. This wasn’t powerful, and more reliable, 400 hp Liberty Boeing then stored the B-1 for the Society quite legal as the plane was US owned and and used up six of them flying 350,000 until 1951 when a Boeing team restored the operated. As a compromise the “G” was miles/563,270 Km on this run of about 80 plane for display at the Society’s new replaced by “N”, which had been assigned miles/129 Km each way. Hubbard typically Museum of History and Industry as the US national designator in a 1919 carried between 50 and 60 thousand (MOHAI). The plane was restored in treaty, which the US had not signed and pounds/22,680-27,216 Kg of mail per year Boeing’s Renton Plant, which, by the way, the “N” was, therefore, not yet in use. This at a charge to the government of three was built by the U.S. Navy in 1939 for hybrid registration, N-CAD, made the B-1 cents per letter. This operation delivered construction of another flying boat, the the first plane to carry an “N number”. late-posted trans-Pacific mail from Seattle Boeing PBB-1 Sea Ranger. That is why the When US insurers set up their own private to Victoria to catch the steamers that had factory faces the waters of Lake Washing- airplane registration system in 1923 the B-1 left Seattle the day before and to return ton and has three seaplane ramps. The B-1 became “N-ABNA” until 1927 when the mail from the arriving steamers to Seattle a hangs in the Phillip Johnson Memorial CAA assigned it “4985” and this was day before the ships arrived. Hubbard was Aviation Wing of the Museum. Phillip applied to the wings and rudder. Later it known to have, on occasion, chased some Johnson was an early colleague of was assigned NC-4985 but this was never steamers many miles out to sea in the B-1 Boeing’s and was the President of United painted on the plane. When the plane was to deliver the mail. Aircraft when it was dissolved; later he displayed outdoors on Boeing Field from was President of The Boeing Airplane 1939 through 1941 it still had the 4985 Sometime in 1929 the company’s name was Company from 1939 through 1944. Today, registration. changed to Northwestern Air Services and though, there is very little aviation left in ownership passed to the Blum family of this wing of the museum; most of the For modelers and others who care about Seattle who based their operations on Lake space being given over to other subjects such details: The hull top and float tops, Washington at Bryn Mawr (now Renton ranging from a tow-truck (“The Toe including the lower wing center section Municipal Airport). They retired the B-1 Truck”) to a very large display model of a have always been dark green; a darker and replaced it with a Boeing B-1E; later beer bottle and the Rolls-Royce Merlin green than the later “Boeing Green”. The redesignated Model 204. The B-1 sat in a powered Slo-Mo-Shun IV Unlimited Class hull and float bottoms have always been racing boat of the mid fifties. reddish gold. The rest of the plane, IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 4 including all struttery, was finished with • Boeing News, Vol. 10, No. 52, December aluminum dope. The Hall-Scott engine had 27, 1951(In-House newspaper) article; “Old a two-bladed wooden propeller and the Plane is Placed in Museum”. Liberties had four bladers. All the registra- tions, prior to 4985, were black on a large • Boeing News, sometime in 1939, article; white panel on the fuselage aft of the “History Maker, Boeing B-1 on Exhibit”. wings; with, as appropriate, either a black “G” or “N” on the silver rudder. Until 4985 • Assistance from the Library of the there were never any registrations on the Museum of Flight in Seattle. wings. “M 92” and “U.S. Mail” are painted in white on either side of the nose. • Assistance from the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle. The 1951 Boeing restorers, knowing the Airplane would be hung, did nothing • Assistance from the Boeing Archives in about the interior; both cockpits are Bellevue. completely empty – no seats, controls, instruments – nothing. Where it is hung makes it very difficult to photograph Below: The B-1 afloat in Lake Washington today. off the seaplane ramp at Boeing Renton after restoration in 1951. Three-view traced from Boeing Archives Specifications: (Museum of Flight)

Span: 50’ 3”/15.24 M Length: 31’ 3”/9.45 M Height: 13’ 4”/3.96 M Empty Wt.: 2,400 Lb/1,089 Kg Gross Wt.: 3,850 Lb/1,746 Kg Cruise: 80 MPH/129 Km/H Range: 400 Miles/643 Km Engine: Hall-Scott L6, 200 hp/ Liberty, 400 hp Accommodations: Pilot in front; two passengers, or mail, in rear.

Sources:

• Boeing Aircraft Since 1916: Peter M. Bowers, Putnam, UK, 1966, Library of congress No. 66-11374.

• Pedigree of Champions: Boeing, USA, 1969.

• Boeing Airliner magazine, July 1978, article “Wavetop Airline”: Peter M. Bowers.

• Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper October 12, 1995 article “Flyers Who Left their Stamp on Airmail”: Jon Hahn.

• Boeing Press Release; July 29, 1951: Model B-1 Flying Boat, “First Commercial Venture by Boeing, Renovated for Mu- seum”. IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 5

The B-1 on Lake Union in front of factory ramp; Queen Anne Hill and Seattle’s Gas Works in background. (Boeing) Launching the B-1 from the factory into Lake Union for a test flight. (Boeing)

The B-1 showing its hybrid N-CADS registration being towed in Victoria’s Inner Harbor. (Boeing)

After being wrecked by a windstorm whilst moored in Victoria. (Boeing)

The B-1 on display at Boeing Field after being donated to the Seattle Historical Society in 1939 with registra- tion 4985 visible on the rudder. (Museum of Flight)

The B-1 on Boeing Renton’s ramp shortly after rollout from Opposite page, bottom: The B-1 in the first Boeing factory on 1951 restoration. It’s accurate except all the struts should Seattle’s Lake Union where it was built. First flight was be silver rather than dark green. (Boeing) December 27, 1919. (Boeing) IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 6

Dragon 1/72nd Scale Type 97 "Chi-Ha" Tank, Late Production, Saipan 1944

by Andrew Birkbeck

Over the years, model companies haven’t exactly been falling over each other to produce WW2 Japanese military vehicles in the smaller scales: 1/72nd or 1/76th. Hasegawa produced a couple of trucks in their 1/72nd scale series many years ago, while Airfix produced a Type 97 “Chi-Ha” decades ago in 1/76th scale. For the time the Airfix kit wasn’t a bad little model, bar the rubberized plastic tracks which nothing seemed to glue together. So it was a happy surprise to discover that Dragon Models was producing not one, but two 1/72nd scale IJA tanks in their “Armor Pro” series, a Type 95 “Ha-Go” light tank, and the subject of this review, a Type 97 “Chi-Ha” medium tank. photo etched fret consisting of two mesh Section 4 covers the installation of the exhaust guards. photo-etched brass exhaust guards. I heated my fret by placing it on a medium Assembly starts with the running gear in heat stove element to anneal the metal, instruction sequence 1 and 2. Be very making it much easier to bend into shape. I careful to insure that the road wheels, formed the etched parts by carefully drive sprocket and rear idler wheel on each bending them over suitably sized drill bits, size of the model line up correctly. In taking the process slowly, and constantly particular there is a problem with the test fitting the parts until I was happy with mounting holes on parts A10, for attach- their shape and positioning over the ment to the mounting pins on the lower plastic exhaust parts. However, I got the hull, part “C”. The holes are bigger than positioning wrong on my model, as the the mounting pins, so the parts lack a firm, exhaust guards are supposed to lay flush positive fit. with the mudguards. Note that the exhaust guards have a “hook” at one end of them. In Section 2 of the instructions note that This hook allows the guards to conform to part A8, the radio antenna, is a very the contour of the rear section of the delicate part. I took the utmost care and mudguards. So pay close attention to this achieved success in removing it from the detail, and you will get everything cor- sprue using my micro razor saw from rectly positioned. UMM (Unique Master Models). Also in this section, take the time to carefully Section 5: Here I had the second of the remove the seam line on the main cannon really major fit problems. Part A24 does not barrel, part A7. The kit also gives the fit snuggly into hull Part “B”. So I had to Dragon’s kit is very well detailed, consist- modeler the option of having the turret do a lot of test fitting, filing, more test ing of two main parts, the hull top and hatch in the open or closed position. Since fitting, and more filing. But I got the part bottom, together with a sprue of detail the kit does not provide the modeler with installed fairly well without having to parts covering the running gear, turret, any sort of crew figure to place in the resort to putty. Another local modeler I exhaust system and on board tools. Two turret opening, I elected to button up my spoke with had the same experience so I track runs are provided in Dragon’s DS100 turret. don’t believe it wasn’t just reviewer glue-able rubberized plastic, plus a small incompetence! Section 6, the final in the IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 7 assembly sequences, has the modeler once again having some difficulties: the very nicely detailed DS100 tracks are very fragile, and are too short for the model. Dragon seems to realize that they might be too short, or too long, for they advise the modeler to stretch them, or cut off any excess length. Well, due to the thin nature of these tracks, and despite my best efforts to be extremely careful with my track stretching exercise, I snapped one of the two track lengths in half. Thankfully however the track material glues together very well, and with some care, I managed to get the tracks, now in three pieces, onto the model and looking okay. So again, you are forewarned.

The kit provides one color and marking the model was given a gloss clear cote, I rate this kit very highly indeed. Detail is scheme for a tank listed as being from the before the application of the decals. As crisp, and there is lots of it. If you follow 9th Tank Regiment on Saipan, sometime mentioned, there is only one option the kit instructions, together with my during 1944. The scheme is the four tone available in the kit, and the decals, by advice on the couple of trouble spots with IJA scheme of Brown, Green and Khaki, Cartograph of Italy, went on without fuss. the kit, a very sweet little model should together with yellow stripes. For the first A further application of the clear gloss result. Dragon Models has a Type 97 Chi three colors I utilized a set from the Mr. helped bury the decals so they would more Ha “early version” due out soon in their Hobby range of lacquer paints, “Mr Color easily blend into the painted finish. Then a range as well. As always, I would like to for Tanks” set CS604 Imperial Japanese light application of a suitably dark brown offer my sincere thanks to DragonUSA for Army. These colors were thinned with Mr oil wash was applied to pick out the providing IPMS USA with the opportunity Color Self Leveling Thinner, and various rivets and panel lines. Once to review this kit for their members. airbrushed onto the model freehand. Once thoroughly dry, the model was airbrushed thoroughly dry, I took a bottle of yellow with a suitable flat matt clear, in this case paint from my stocks, in this case an from the Vallejo Model Air range. The acrylic, Polly Scale Italian Camouflage tracks were then picked out with another Yellow 3. With this I brush painted on the Vallejo color, Track Primer, from their yellow stripes that adorned IJA tanks Panzer Aces range. during WW2. Two applications of the yellow were required, and following this, IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 8

Kinetic 1/48th Scale Grumman C-2A Greyhound

by Gerry Nilles

The Grumman C-2 Greyhound is a second generation and the most current "Carry Onboard Delivery" (COD) aircraft used by the US Navy. Interestingly the concept, of a dedicated carrier borne transport/cargo aircraft only dates back to the mid 1950s. Prior to this, modified attack aircraft such as the TBM Avenger and AD-5 "sedan" Skyraider provided some COD support, but had very limited capacity as far as cargo and personnel went. Transportation of larger items, such as replacement jet engines, special weapons, etc. obviously required a dedicated aircraft with a much greater space and load ability. However, at the time (the 1950s) the majority of the Sea" feasibility study using a Lockheed C- might say it is an easy transition, this carrier fleet consisted of the modified 130. A Hercules, with an estimated gross certainly is not the case. In reality, what we WWII vintage Essex class, and as such, weight of 121,000 pounds, both success- are talking about is almost a 50% new kit, the design of any dedicated cargo aircraft fully landed and took off from the USS with five large new trees to be exact. The definitely had to consider size. Forrestal (CVA-59) in October of 1963. new parts required to make this transition However, the Navy subsequently rejected include a completely revised fuselage that Fortunately, at this time the new twin the idea of using such large aircraft on is both wider and deeper than the E-2. This engine Grumman S-2 Tracker ASW aircraft carriers because of the disruption to new fuselage has both a different side had just come into service. Navy planners normal operation, not to mention concerns entry as well as the addition of a large rear wasted no time in having Grumman modify over onboard storage, maintenance, and cargo door. Also provided is a new upper the S-2 airframe into a cargo configuration. disposition should a hard landing occur. and lower wing center section, including The first of these redesigned S-2s, (now separate flaps. designated the TF-1) made its initial flight The initial flight trials for the C-2A began in February of 1955. Modification incorpo- in the fall of 1964, with production deliver- As a side note, the most significant rated into the TF-1 included both a wider ies to Fleet Tactical Support Squadron problem with the E-2C kit was the mating and deeper fuselage; double cargo doors Fifty (VCR-50) beginning in December of of the engine nacelles with the lower part added to the port side, a load capacity of 1966. As noted above size no longer of the wings. Unfortunately, the nacelles 3,500 pounds or seating for nine. Nick- determined design, however commonality are the problem. However, one can always named the "Trader", and subsequently re- and serviceability did and as such the fact hope that this problem has been corrected designated the C-1A in 1962, the Trader that both the C-2A and the E-2C shared a with these new parts. served until replaced by the C-2A Grey- number of common systems and parts hound, in the late 1960s. including, engines, outer wings, landing Next we have a new tail section including gear, folding wings just to name a few both the horizontals and verticals, and new Lessons learned from the C-1 program definitely was a plus. However, these clear parts too. But wait, as they say on were not lost on the Navy and as such, the positive features only added to the fact the TV, there is more. Not only do you get genesis of the C-2A Greyhound shared a that the load capacity of the Greyhound all this you also get a completely detailed parallel development with the E-2C was also significant, being almost three cargo bay interior including seats. You Hawkeye. In addition, at the time these two times as much as the Trader at 10,000 also get both the original four blade props, designs were in development the fleet had pounds of cargo or accommodation/ plus the upgraded eight-blade style. almost completely converted to the so- seating for 20 passengers. called super carrier, which pretty much Overall, the quality of these new C-2A lifted any size restrictions. Actually, the First, I have to applaud Kinetic for parts is on a par with the original E-2C kit, Navy went so far as to complete an "At modifying its 1/48th E-2C Hawkeye into if not a little better. The panel lines and the C-2A Greyhound. Although some other details are both well defined and IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 9 crisply molded. Of course, the original Ki-44 'Tojo' Aces of World a great job of highlighting these opera- common parts to both kits, such as, but War 2, by Nicholas Millman tions in subsequent chapters, with not limited to, the engines, landing gear, attention given to the Ki-44 in Southeast outer wing panels (with separate flaps), Asia, China, and over Japan. and the optional extended or folded wing reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl feature are of pretty darn good quality in Like other titles in the Osprey Aircraft of the first place. While the study of aviation over the Aces series, this book is filled with during the Second World War is well photographs. Finding good photographic Printed by Cartograf, the kit’s decal sheet documented, finding good references on references on Japanese aircraft is challeng- provides the builder a choice of markings Japanese aviation is more challenging. ing, so it is good to see the breadth of for two aircraft. The first is for a late model This latest title in the Osprey Aircraft of coverage in this book. Complementing the C-2A (BU No. 162161) from VRC-30 that the Aces series helps fill that void, photo record, of course, are the excellent operated from the USS Ronald Reagan in covering the Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki fighter. color profile illustrations, drawn by Ronnie 2010. Equipped with the upgraded eight Sadly, no Ki-44 aircraft survived the war, Olsthoorn. The same artist did the cover bladed propellers, and sporting a yellow so we have no historical originals to artwork as well as the scale drawings, sunburst over a black background on the examine. As such, books such as this one making for a great all-around package. outboard panels of the vertical stabilizers, are all the more valuable, and the author this scheme is by far the more colorful of has gone to great lengths to provide a Overall, this is a very nice addition to the the two options. solid reference. Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series, and a welcome addition to the Japanese aviation The second choice, is for and earlier C-2A, historian's library. My thanks to Osprey (having the original four bladed props), Publishing for the review copy. from VAW-120 circa 2009. This aircraft has no colorful markings other than the Aircraft of the Aces 100 squadron badge. Both aircraft have the Publisher: Osprey Publishing standard U S Navy gull gray and white ISBN: 978-1-84908-440-6 color scheme that has been around since Binding: Softcover the1960s. However, consistent with Pages: 96 transport type aircraft, the upper part of the fuselage is also white.

I believe I share a similar thought with many a 1/48th scale model builder when I say that I would never have imagined that Skyway Model Shop we would see a kit of a C-2A Greyhound. Christmas Sale and Party This is even more surprising considering the fact that it is not available in any other Skyway Model Shop will have their annual scale, except as a conversion. Overall, Christmas sale and party the day of the Kinetic has done an excellent job on this December meeting, December 10. Every- kit. The complete cargo bay interior is thing in the store will be 20% off, with 50% definitely a nice touch as is the folding or off on special items. extended wing option. The inclusion of both early and late style props, along with The book begins with an overview of the The sale starts at noon and the party at 4 a good selection of markings for either development process that resulted in the PM, with food and drinks served then. version is also another plus. As for major Ki-44. Contrary to previous designs, the negatives with the kit, I do not really see Ki-44 focused on speed and durability See www.skywaymodelshop.com for more any. Having just completed their E-2C kit I over maneuverability. As such, the Ki-44 details and directions. can tell you that this will probably not be was a formidable airplane, difficult to bring overly difficult build for an accomplished down, and helped change the way the modeler, just a time consuming one. Japanese deployed their fighter force. As a Therefore, without hesitation I must say strategic point defense fighter, the Ki-44 that Kinetic is certainly to be comple- did quite well in protecting the Japanese mented for this effort. My thanks to islands from US bombers. The author does Stevens International for the review sample. IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 10

On Fw 190 Canopies, reached the rear of the glassed-in area. As always, to be really sure of which One big thing to remember is that this canopy was used on the model Fw 190 you Antennas, and Headrests canopy style possessed no automatic may be building, the solution as always, is tensioner, meaning that when the canopy to try and find a photograph of that fighter. by Hal Marshman Sr was slid back into the full open position, Lacking such a picture, you may have to the antenna cable went slack, actually rely on the kit's instructions, or artwork lying along the topside of the fuselage from a respected source. I recently took part in a club challenge to rear. You will observe this type canopy on build an Fw 190D or Ta 152, and best that some A-8 and -9 birds, late -F, -G, and most of the challenger. Judging from the -D 190s, as well as the Ta 152. questions I heard, it would seem that everyone isn't up to speed on the above named subject, although I grant you, it's pretty esoteric information. Those of you that already have a grasp can pretty much ignore what I have to say, but there are quite a few guys coming up through the ranks that may find this new and revealing.

Focke-Wulf 190 aircraft fielded basically two different canopy arrangements. the basic canopy for most early to mid-war units was what we call the "flat topped" version, in that the sliding canopy is basically straight from the front to the rear tip of its fairing. Yes, I know that there's a very slight turndown at the very top front. This canopy style featured an armored head rest, and supporting bar that ran from the top of the rest, to an area inside the metal fairing. The antenna cable entered the top of the canopy, and worked through a system of pulleys. In any event, the system kept the cable taut, regardless of whether the canopy was closed, or slid back into the full open position. This style canopy was employed from the prototype variants, right through the A-9 version. (I'm sure there may have been some field modified exceptions). It was also employed on some examples of the -D, -F, and -G versions.

The second canopy type was what we call the "blown hood" style. The sliding part now had a stiffening frame running the entire length of the top, bisecting the canopy. The glass parts now possessed a distinctive bulge on both sides of this frame, allowing the pilot an easier glance to his rear. The bar that the earlier types had to support the rear of the armored headrest was replaced with a rounded coaming, narrower at the front to match the shape of the headrest, and growing larger as it IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 11

Revell 1/24th Scale 1948 Ford Custom Coupe

by Greg Wise, IPMS #44378

The 1948 Ford was the company’s last model to be produced using a pre-WWII design. Distinctive “fat” fenders helped make it an instant favorite with custom builders, who tended to chop the top and add fade-away fenders and tunneled headlights. A modified Ford flathead V-8, dual carburetors, and dual exhaust was the rage.

Revell’s kit features newly tooled optional custom parts. These include four grills with separate surrounds, two bumpers, two hubcaps, three taillights, two hoods, fade-away side panels, spotlights, fender skirts, plated metal exhaust tips, printed whitewall tires, chrome plated parts, and decals with colorful custom graphics. Total the body. The rest of the build included parts 136, skill level 3. adding the bumpers and bits.

As with most car builds, the first steps I highly recommend this build to anyone began with the engine. The flat head went who likes building for the enjoyment of the together without a hitch and, painted Ford hobby and to the serious modeler who blue, it was soon embellished with all the wants a great canvas for building a chrome items we all come to expect from masterpiece. Thanks to Revell for supply- Revell. Next up, following the instruction ing the kit for review and to IPMS for sheet, I moved on to the frame and exhaust letting me review it. pipes. It was here that I made a detour and elected not to install the exhaust system at this point and instead send the frame to the paint shop along other related parts to be readied for the next building steps. Once all the parts were painted, I added the exhaust system, suspension, drive train, wheels, and steering. Flipping the frame over, I then added the engine and radiator, finishing this build component at step 4.

The next build steps 5, 6, and 7 involve the body and several optional custom fea- tures. Once all the body work was finished, I prepped and painted it before adding the glass as directed in step 7. Step 8 covers the interior and dash. I encountered no problems. Step 9, after test fitting the interior with the floor pan and frame component, everything was installed into IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 12

Dragon 1/72nd Scale Heavy Uniform Personnel Vehicle Type 40

by Andrew Birkbeck

When I first received this model kit for review, the title that Dragon Models gave it, “Heavy Uniform Personnel Vehicle Type 40” had me confused. It clearly looked to me like the Auto Union/Horch 4x4 Type 1a produced by Tamiya in 1/35th scale way back in the 1970s. And sure enough, this is what the kit turned out to be! And to be fair to Dragon, the vehicle was indeed a “heavy” (as compared “medium” or “light” weight) 6-man personnel vehicle. The kit is in fact “kits”, as Dragon gives the modeler two identical kits within the same box. parts. Section 3 of the instructions covers they assemble together quite well. The one the addition of the vehicle’s bumper and exception for me was part B31, which is the external lights, siren and Notek light, pedestal mounted machine gun. This I together with the internal parts: seats, found basically impossible to straighten steering wheel, hand brake and gear shift, out convincingly (it had a slight warp to it plus the windshield and canvas wet out of the box). I thus left it off my model. weather cover parts (in the stowed Another area that leaves something to be position). The kit gives the modeler one desired: because of the one piece main option: a clear windshield with molded on body unit, while the exterior of the wiper blades, or a part depicting the vehicle’s four doors are well defined, vehicle with a canvas covering over the looking at the interior of the model, the windshield to be installed in the lowered doors are not defined at all. In other words, position. if you look at the interior of the main body, it appears the vehicle doesn’t have As stated all these parts are extremely well separate, opening doors. detailed for the scale, and for the most part

The bulk of each kit consists of a one- piece body, incorporating the under chassis frame, and the upper body hood and main body side panels. This utilizes the latest slide mold production technol- ogy for an amazingly detailed one-piece unit. To this the modeler adds in Section 1 and 2 of the instructions: the wheels and drive train parts, together with the exhaust IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 13

The kit instructions provide the modeler Vickers Wellesley, The operational record of the Wellesley with three color schemes: a Panzer gray by Ian White follows the technical description, and this vehicle from the Eastern Front, 1941; an section details the short squadron service overall Panzer yellow vehicle with red and of the type. With the first Wellesley aircraft green camouflage pattern, Eastern Front reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl arriving in squadron service in early 1937 1943; and a desert yellow vehicle, North and the first examples replaced in the 1942. Unfortunately all three are The Vickers Wellesley marked the begin- spring of 1938, the Wellesley definitely had listed as “unidentified unit”, and so come ning of an alliterative quartet of geodetic a limited career. The entire span of the without any vehicle markings other than aircraft that included the Wellington, Wellesley with Bomber Command lasted license plates. And even the license plate Warwick, and Windsor. The geodetic only two years, but the type did soldier on decals are generic, in that Dragon Models concept used by Vickers in all of these in and African squadrons, provides the modeler with a series of aircraft evolved from ' work where the Wellesley went into combat individual numbers which then must be in that construction method. This newest against the Italians in . The last “assembled” into a front and rear license book in the Warpaint Series examines this Wellesley operations were anti-submarine plate. This is a real chore, and to get them interesting first step into geodetic aircraft missions from in 1943. evenly spaced, a major challenge. Frankly, construction with a detailed history of the I would have much preferred two or three Vickers Wellesley. Like other titles in the Warpaint Series, this “preassembled” plates! I chose to build book combines the well-written text with the Panzer Yellow vehicle, with red and plenty of great photographs. There are green squiggle camouflage, utilizing quite a few photos showing the Wellesley Tamiya brand acrylic paints, and Mr. Color under construction, which highlights the Self Leveling lacquer thinner. geodetic design. Scale drawings are also included, and there are quite a few color profile illustrations as well. For the latter, there was not much variation in camou- flage for the Wellesley, but there are some interesting marking variations depicted.

While overshadowed by the bigger Wellington, the Vickers Wellesley was an important aircraft that proved the validity of geodetic construction. The aircraft is done justice in this book, and it makes for a great addition to the Warpaint series. My thanks to Warpaint Books for the review copy. So did I like this model? Yes I did. It assembles into a nicely detailed small scale Warpaint Series No. 86 model of this important German military Publisher: Warpaint Books personnel carrier. The one major “issue” is The operational story of the Wellesley is a Binding: Softcover the lack of door demarcation on the inside fairly short one, as it was only in service Pages: 40 of the main body part. However, once the for a short while. Its unique construction, interior seats are installed, this “issue” is though, requires an extensive bit of [Thanks to Chris Banyai-Riepl and much less glaringly obvious. Thoroughbredbackground information, and this book www.internetmodeler.com for permission begins with just that. In fact, production to use his, Tracy’s, and Gerry’s articles. - I highly recommend this kit to anyone who examples of the Wellesley do not enter ED] builds 1/72nd WW2 German military into discussion for several pages of text, vehicles. as the author goes into detail about the design and testing of geodetic construc- My thanks to DragonModels USA for tion. This background is important to providing IPMS USA with this review understanding the Wellesley, and it makes sample. for an interesting read. IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 14

Tamiya New 1/350th Scale Yamato Preview

by Tracy White

Tamiya created quite a buzz at the 2011 Tokyo Hobby show when they confirmed the swirling rumors of a new-tooled Battleship Yamato in 1/350th scale. Thanks to Skyway Model Shop's advanced preview sent to them by Tamiya, we're in a good position to discuss the finer details of this upcoming release. As it was a partial kit, lacking instructions, only the parts that we saw will be up for discussion.

Starting with the hull - many modelers have been clamoring for hull detail in way of the plating formed by the different past, and that correct and thin is in. This is and then restoring the detail seamlessly strakes of steel. Various companies have a feature that once known and understood, (rimshot!)? This aft seam (see below) is the tried and for the most part have come up looks badly out of place on older kits with one I worry about most; being long and lacking. Tamiya takes another crack at it their long, fat "smiles" that did not cutting through several strakes across its with this release, presenting actual raised conform to the flow of water in the length. The hull detail is fashioned by strakes instead of the simple engraved slightest. alternating raised pieces atop a smooth lines their Akagi used. surface, so when the seam has a step in There are some drawbacks to the strake even the lower surface it means that more Another feature oft desired are the sea plating however. When this is combined is going to need to be sanded away to get chests, intakes, and exhausts on the with the need to have multiple mold pieces, that lower surface smooth. bottom of a ship used to feed the ship's if the mold break-down and injection boilers. These are included as oval process isn't perfectly handled there will The most noticeable seam, however, is that depressions; due to the width and flatness be seams that can be a pain to deal with. on the forward hull. In order to mold such of the hull they will be hard to see unless a Does the modeler remove the seams, as a complex hull shape with crisp details taller stand-off is used, but it's nice that well as all detail in the area, or leave the over its form, the hull had to be broken they were included as well as the plating. detail and by extension the seams? Or, down into many parts. There are two It's also nice to see that the thick, chevron does the builder take a stab at a more below the waterline and at least three shaped bilge keels are more a thing of the difficult proposition, removing the seam above it. As you can see in the photo above, this leaves a seam that should be filled. Perhaps not much concern if the two surfaces are perfectly true to each other, but in this case I felt a slight step that would require some sanding as well as filling in order to negate, which will destroy the surrounding strake detail.

Now, while the seam above does look ugly close up, I'm less worried about the forward one, and in fact I don't think either will be all that difficult to repair. My plan would be to ignore the strake detail; sand down what needs to be to make the lower surface true. Then, with the surviving detail on either side as a guide, lay down Tamiya tape (it's got to be Tamiya tape for IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 15 a Tamiya Yamato!) along where the edges would be, and then spray some Mr. Surfacer or paint in to fill back in the strake detail. Builders have been using this technique for a while in replicating hull plating and it works well with the proper technique. Because the strakes are long, relatively straight pieces, this should be a fairly easy task for the most part.

Enough about the lower hull. The upper hull consists of three main pieces; a bow portion that is about a fifth-to-quarter of the ship's length, and two side pieces that make up the rest. There is a flat plate that can be used to stiffen the structure if one is building the kit waterline, and parts of the upper pieces fit into this in such a way as to make alignment fairly obvious and easy, from all appearances. There is, however, one issue that became apparent early on that I'd like to talk about. The contour of the upper forward piece did not match the lower piece at the joint, at least not easily. Taking a cue from most of and each massive optical rangefinder Along with this is a good attempt to Trumpeter's ships, it appears that the lower comprised of three parts. Not only does provide the option to show interior detail hull is narrower at its normal tension than the builder get the turret shell and guns, of the top level of the turrets. The platform the upper hull. It may be possible to install but an effort has been made to provide shelf itself contains some of the details of spreaders below the waterline to push this each whole barbette as a removable the interior, such as the optical rangefinder section out enough to ease the fixing work package, to better show the true size of and shell ramming track, but misses a lot of that this will entail, but lacking instructions these massive weapons. the finer details that would make this a kit and a true understanding of how this structure is truly supposed to work, I don't want to propose anything more concrete. Even lining up one side at a time proved difficult without my third hand.

The side pieces appear well done. The kit is meant to portray Yamato on her final mission, when she was sunk trying to reach the Allied fleet near Okinawa; as such most of the portholes are rendered as plated over. This detail is perhaps a touch overdone, but given the other hull details it was probably necessary to present them this way. There's not a lot to add here other than a hope for a good fit between the other hull pieces.

The whole reason for a battleship's existence is its main battery. Yamato's was certainly impressive; the kit no less so, with one exception. The turrets are well detailed, with subtle details on the roof, IPMS Seattle Chapter Newsletter Page 16 in and amongst itself. Perhaps an aftermar- ket company will provide a set to allow the builder to go full-goose bozo in this regard.

The guns themselves were the largest surprise to me in terms of detail. The long pieces behind the pivot were curious until I remembered the pieces for the breech block that fit around them, but then I noticed that the ends of the barrels were solid, unlike those of Dragon or Trumpeter. It turns out that this initial assessment is somewhat in error; Tamiya does give open barrel ends but either as separate pieces, or as a replacement metal barrel set. In the case of the plastic ends, they can be seen above the top barrel in the picture to the right.

Suffice to say, the detail included in the rest of the pieces looks excellent, and I have no doubt that this will build up into an impressive kit. The price will be high in the US, and the old kit can certainly be built into a good representation, but this kit will definitely go a long way to satisfy the hard core Yamato fan.

Meeting Reminder December 10

North Bellevue Community/Senior Center 4063-148th Ave NE, Bellevue

Directions: From Seattle or from I-405, take 520 East to the 148th Ave NE exit. Take the 148th Ave North exit (the second of the two 148th Ave. exits) and continue north on 148th until you reach the Senior Center. The Senior Center will be on your left. The Center itself is not easily visible from the road, but there is a signpost in the median.